Supplemental Disability Insurance through work or third party provider?

[project15]

Well, it's annual enrollment for me (and a lot of others). I have an insurance broker who provides life insurance currently for me and also wants to sell me disability insurance. I also have the option of enrolling at work for the same coverage but through a different provider (and much less money). They both provide the same coverage, but the option through work is $5 per month with Unum and the option through my broker is $36 per month with Northwestern Mutual. Any adivce? I really want to go with the cheaper option. Why would I pay 7x more for what seems like the same coverage?

I can take both coverages with me if I switch jobs as long as I pay the premiums.

Here's the pros that my broker is using to try to get me to sign up with him:
1. NWM invests my money and pays out dividends so I will eventually pay less than $36 per month.
2. NWM is a better company than Unum and has a higher rate of approving claims
3. Insurance through my group plan at work is for people that are high risk because they can't get outside coverage and the rate will be much higher as I get older.

[Like2Plan]

project15,
What is your employer's contribution for the coverage provided through work and how much would your premium be if you took the coverage with you in the case of switching jobs?
Have you confirmed the coverages are identical?

[snafu]

What is the probability of your leaving your current employment? Does your current employment have a higher risk factor or people who are high risk ageism? You need to compare Unum & NWM premiums based on actual cost without the employer subsidy.
Does buying from your broker give you a discount on other products like auto or home ins.?

Your insurance broker is paid a commission every month you hold the policy + his initial fee which adds to your cost. How much more are premiums if your were 5 yrs. older?

[project15]

I signed up for it through my work as I didn't see any red flags in the Q&A sessions that they held.

My probability of leaving my current employer is hardly any as I love it here and they rarely let people go. The cost if I did switch jobs would simply be double what I currently pay (currently at $8.80 per month). We are getting a 35% discount as a corporate rate - which I would still be eligible for if leaving, and then my employer pays 50% of the premium (currently $8.80 per month).

The cost of the plan with my broker is $36 per month. So even if I do leave my company, that would be compared to $17. Buying from my broker is not giving me a discount as I do not have auto or home insurance through that company - only 2 life insurance policies.